MLB

Davis, Duda expected to be on Opening Day roster

VIERA, Fla. — Ike Davis and Lucas Duda can plan on remaining as teammates at least to begin the season.

In assessing the Mets’ first-base situation heading to the regular season, general manager Sandy Alderson on Tuesday indicated he expects to have Davis and Duda on his Opening Day roster.

“There are two issues there,” Alderson said. “Who is going to be playing first base Opening Day and will the other one be on the team? I would say right now that I would expect both to be on the team. Who is going to be playing first base I couldn’t tell you yet, because we haven’t decided.”

Davis went 0-for-3 against the Nationals on Tuesday and is batting .250 with two homers and six RBIs this spring. Duda didn’t play, and is batting .200 with two homers and three RBIs.

Both are expected to play against the Astros on Wednesday, with the DH in use.


Frank Viola, who was set to begin his first year as the pitching coach at Triple-A Las Vegas, will undergo heart surgery next week in New York and is expected to miss the season.

According to the Mets, Viola’s heart condition was detected during a recent medical exam in spring training. The 53-year-old Viola served as the pitching coach last season at Single-A Savannah.

A former St. John’s standout, Viola won the Cy Young award for the Twins in 1988 and spent three years pitching for the Mets.


Alderson indicated Juan Lagares probably will either play regularly in center field or be optioned to Triple-A Las Vegas.

“He’s going to have to hit a little bit, too,” Alderson said. “If he were to start in center field Opening Day, we would have to see over a period of time that he can carry the offensive side of the game as well. And if that’s not to come, then typically a guy like that would be better off playing somewhere else, but that’s premature.”


Zack Wheeler struggled against the Nationals on Tuesday, allowing five earned runs on five hits and three walks over 2 ²/₃ innings. The right-hander completed his Grapefruit League season 1-2 with a 3.86 ERA.

“Just a bad day,” Wheeler said. “It’s good to get it out of the way in spring training.”

Wheeler plans to throw two bullpen sessions before his scheduled start against the Nationals on April 3.